Category: Mind and Body

Chakras are “energy centers” that allow cosmic energy to flow throughout the body. Certain exercises can help unblock the chakras and improve the way we feel. Before we dive into balancing the 7 Chakras, let’s take a closer look at each of the chakras and what they represent.

What are the Seven Chakras?

Muladhara Chakra

Also known as the “root” or “base” chakra, this is located at the base of the spine. It is associated with survival instincts, self-image, and being grounded. If the chakra is too open, you may: be defensive, bully others, be dishonest, and experience hyperactivity. If the chakra is blocked, you may experience: paranoia, low sex drive, fertility issues, and insecurity.

Svadhisthana Chakra

Also known as the “Sex”, “Genital”, or “Sacral” Chakra, this is located slightly below your belly button. It is associated with your sex drive, creativity, and sincerity. If the chakra is too open, you may experience sexually excessive, manipulative, or addictive behaviors. If it is blocked, you may experience; lust, sexual guilt, and other emotional issues.

Manipura Chakra

Also known as the “Solar Plexus” or “Navel” chakra, located in between the ribs and the belly button. It is associated with willpower, destiny, assertion, purpose, and psychic power. If the chakra is too open, you could experience: judgemental, addictive behavior, anger, workaholic tendencies, a lack of a sense of humor. If the chakra is blocked, you may feel: victimized, fear of being alone, over emotional, and cling to love.

Anahata Chakra

Also known as the “Heart” chakra, this is located between the breasts. It is associated with the ability to express love, intuitiveness, and compassion. If the chakra is too open, you may experience possessiveness. If blocked, you may experience heart problems, problems with the immune system, a lack of compassion, and a suppression of love, both for yourself and others.

Vishuddha Chakra

Also known as the “Throat” chakra, this is located at the throat. It is associated with communication, logic, reason, creativity, and personal responsibility. If the chakra is too open, you may experience feelings of self-righteous, extreme chattiness, and arrogance. If the chakra is blocked, you may experience a sore throat or laryngitis, problems communicating, or creative blocks.

Ajna Chakra

Also known as the “Brow” or “Third Eye” chakra, this is located between the eyebrows. It is associated with intuition and awareness. If the chakra is too open, you could exhibit impatient and authoritarian like behavior. If it is blocked, you could experience a number of sinus and eye problems, egotistical behavior, as well as a desire to control others.

Sahasrara Chakra

Also known as the “Crown” chakra, this is located above the top of your head. It is associated with your spiritual connection to the universe, your cosmic understanding, and your ability to open. If the chakra is too open, you could experience manic-depressive tendencies, frustration, and psychotic behavior. If the chakra is blocked, you could experience a number of psychological problems, condemnation, and an overall alienation from peers.

Unblocking the Chakras

Simply ask yourself the following questions, and write down the answers. Knowing the answers will help you determine what you need to do in order to make changes in your life to unblock the chakras.

How to Unblock Your Chakras

For the Muladhara Chakra:

How is your relationship with family members?

What is your relationship like with money?

Addressing issues with this chakra can also help with stress, digestion, and balance. Stimulate the chakra by calming the mind and focusing on its location. Visualize the chakra as a circle of red light – coming into your body from the soles of your feet, moving through the legs, to the base of the spine. When exhaling, imagine the stream of light moving from your spine, down through your legs, and out through your feet. Repeat for five to 10 minutes.

For the Svadhisthana Chakra:

How do you express yourself creatively?

Do you feel open creatively? Do you feel blocked creatively? Why?

Addressing issues with this chakra can also help with migraines and bladder problems. Stimulate the chakra by calming the mind and focusing on its location. Visualize the chakra as a circle of orange light – coming into your body from the soles of your feet, moving through the legs, to the location of the chakra. When exhaling, imagine the stream of light moving from your chakra location, down through your legs, and out through your feet. Repeat for five to 10 minutes.

For the Manipura Chakra:

Are you an introvert? An extrovert?

Look back on times throughout your life when you needed to boost your power and when you needed to contain that power.

Addressing issues with this chakra can also help with liver problems, muscle stiffness, and and liver problems. Stimulate the chakra by calming the mind and focusing on its location. Visualize a yellow light moving through this chakra to energize the entire body. Repeat for five to 10 minutes.

For the Anahata Chakra:

What societal injustices crush you the most?

If there’s someone you need to forgive, write them a letter. You are under no obligation to send it, but you can if you want to.

For the Vishuddha Chakra:

Make a list of at least 10 adjectives that describe you.

Are you the listener or the speaker in a conversation? Does this role change depending on who you’re talking to? If yes, why?

For the Ajna Chakra:

What is the one question you would ask a psychic, if you had the chance to do so?

Reflect on a time in your life when you listened to what your intuition said, and the results worked well. Reflect again on a time where you ignored your intuition and it did not work out so well.

For the Sahasrara Chakra:

What do you feel when you hear the word “God?”

Reflect on times in your life when you felt the most connected spiritually.

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, learning to understand your body from the chakra standpoint opens you up to a whole new level of awareness, giving you more power and control over your well being.